A Servant at Heart

Most would consider the restaurant, cleaning, and hospitality industries to be menial work. Low wages, long hours, and often unappreciative customers make these industries overlooked and underestimated. When I was younger, I had a list of jobs that I told myself I would never work. Never say never. There came a time in my life when I had no choice but to work in fast food. I was shocked at the number of tasks and preparation it took to keep the restaurant running smoothly. Taking orders, washing dishes, keeping the food line stocked, preparing food and orders, cleaning, etc. Yes, restaurant workers deserve $15.00 an hour, at least. After working my first fast food job, I gained a new respect for those who work there. It taught me the value of teamwork and kindness. Working in a restaurant changed how I behaved as a customer. Flashbacks of rudeness, complaints, and impatience pricked my heart with shame. Now I’m more patient and grateful when I go to a restaurant because I understand what they do.

Nothing humbles you more than cleaning someone else’s toilet. In having cleaning jobs, I discovered that I have a servants’ heart. I love to have clean surroundings in my home, and so on the job, I approached my work in the same way. I took pride in my work knowing, even if no one thanked or complimented me, that I had done my best. Picking up trash, dusting, vacuuming, making beds, cleaning showers, toilets, breakrooms, etc. Cleaning is important to health, now more than it’s ever been with COVID-19. Yes, you have some folks who throw trash on the ground or floor instead of the trashcan. Yes, you have some folks who will put handprints on a window you just shined. Yes, you have some folks who will pee (or worse) on the floor of the bathroom you just immaculately cleaned. But at the end of the day, none of that matters. Cleaners are the unsung heroes of the company. You may not always see us, but we are there.

Hospitality has by far been my most fulfilling job to date. As a Food Service worker for schools, I did my job with diligence and love. What may be just a lunch to you may be the only full meal a child has that day. To you it may just be a burger and fries, but to a hungry college student, having their favorite food comforts them while they’re away from family and friends. A smile, a compliment, a well-prepared meal can transform a not so good day into a better one. For the time that they were in school, I considered all of them my children and cared for them as my own flesh and blood. I kept that in mind as I meticulously cleaned the kitchen area and prepared food. I would often get reprimanded by my manager for giving away food if a student didn’t have money for lunch. A child was not going to be hungry on my watch! At the end of the day, we had to throw out the food so why not give it away to good use?

What my many jobs in these industries has shown me is that I am a servant. It gives me satisfaction to know that I’ve helped someone or made my surroundings beautiful in some way. Yes, there have been many days when my body was wracked with pain, when I was frustrated and wanted to give up, when it was just too hard because with the pay, I couldn’t make ends meet. But its not about me. It’s about loving others. As someone who lives a solitary life, serving others has given me strength and joy that I might not have other wise known.